If an instructor is passionate about the field and specifically teaching and engaging his/her students, that passion will translate into student's excitement for learning and will encourage retention.
You are absolutely right. When Instructors release passion in their teaching appraoch and delivery they are actually releasing seeds of passion right into their students. As Instructors continue to convey and display that same passion to their students the seeds of passion began to germinate and eventually produce its offspring within the students being taught...
Kathryn,
For sure. Both excitement and boredom are catching. It is up to the instructor to determine which is going to be spread around the classroom.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
A lack of enthusiasm leaves a bad impression. Another module discusses first impressions and its effect on the learning environment. A positive impression is one piece of creating a positive learning environment, which is piece affecting student retention. Students attend and stay in a class that provides a positive learning environment. Who wants to attend a negative class?
If an instructor does not feel passionate about teaching a subject the students won't feel passionate about learning it.
Adult learners are active learners so they will not respond well to just sitting there and listening to an instructor lecture. If an instructor can be enthusiastic, the material will be more interesting and the students will retain it better.
Also, an instructor who is not enthusiastic will become dull over time. We need to spice it up for ourselves sometimes too.
The instructor can influence student retention when he/she shows that they are prepared and knowledgable in the subject. This is particularly true in my field (Information Technology) because the teacher cannot pretend to know the subject, if so, the student will question the class throughout the remaining session.
Jerrod,
We need to be master salespersons, actors and entertainers while educating. You make a very good point about the need for bringing excitement and enthusiasm to the classroom. If we don't it is going to be a very looooooooong class for everyone.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Mina,
I agree about enthusiasm and excitement. If you bring both to the classroom it spreads. The students start to become a part of the learning process as a result of the fact that you are excited and enthused about what you are teaching them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I enter the classroom with energy and zeal! Yes, it may be History, or Public Speaking, or Humanities but because I approach it with such enthusiasm the students love it.
I have seen classes I loved in the book but taught by a lackluster, yet learned professor just make me want to hang myself.
It is important that the students know you love what you do because you will go the extra mile to make it fun and profitable for them.
Students are positively influenced by an instructor that is passionate about the course material. I can still remember my high school history teacher and the excitement that he had when he retold history, he was a source of inspirations for me then and continues to be now.
I believe my enthusiasm greatly affects my retention numbers. It helps make my students feel like they're an appreciated part of my class and that I really enjoy having them with me. A little smile here and there and a joke relating to the material always helps, especially if it's something that was in the news or popular at the time.
Instructor enthusiasm is a major motivation factor in student retention. The instructor's passion for the field means that this career is rewarding, pleasant, fun, etc.. and the students will feel secure with their career choice. Believing that they have made the right choice, they will strive to reach their goals so they can enter the workplace and be passionate as their instructor. Passion is contagious.
Having a passionate instructor is a make or break moment for any student. If I show up to class on day one and I have Bobby Bland wonking away for five hours this class has now become a chore for the next 16 weeks(if I don't drop). But if I show up and there is a passionate person getting the class involved who clearly enjoys the topic and what they do it sets the tone for my entire semester making me eager to be on time and learn.
Rosa,
Enthusiasm is catching just as is dullness. We need to bring our A game into the classroom/lab each time we teach. We owe that to our students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Instructor enthusiasm is critical. If an instructor shows no enthusiasm, caring or excitement for teaching, students will sense this. A student feeds off of what the instructor reflects. A positive attitude and enthusiasm will be mirrored by his or her students.
Yolanda,
For sure. Excitement is catching.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Rhonda,
I like an enthusiastic and dedicated instructor as well. I like being around such professionals as their enthusiasm is catching. We need to bring such an attitude each and every time we step into the classroom.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
if the students see how ethused the instructor is to teach they will be twice as enthused to learn
I have had instructors that I knew was going through the motions. It made me feel bored, in the way and not welcome in the class. I have also have had teachers that were enthusiastic, caring, engaging and warm. It made me not want to ever miss a class. That is the type of instructor I want to be, one that makes a student attend every class and be ready to engage.
